Anyone got experience of Halifax, Bradford, or Burnley hospitals?

[SunshineAndClouds235]

My nearest maternity wards seem to be Bradford or Halifax (Calderdale Royal Hospital). Burnleys not that far either. Im high risk so it's the hospital wards I'm interested in rather than the birth centres. Does anyone have any experience of these? Particularly interested in safety and picking up on any issues and reacting to them. Also interested in vbac stories.Thanks!

I was high risk in both pregnancies, first at LGI bad experience on antenatal, second at Halifax Calderdale Royal no complaints good experience.

Currently sat on the ward at Calderdale and have had no problems at all. Lovely staff and facilities

I went to the birthing unit as my pregnancy was straight forward but I did feel a bit neglected at times if I'm honest. DD was first child so I think they thought I was over reacting as it took them an hour to see me once I'd arrived, I ended up sending DH to look for someone. They finally examined me after 1.5 hours and realised she was on her way! I don't know if it's normal to be left after its all finished but as a first time mum I would have liked a bit more support that first night too. I don't know if they were over staffed or what. I'd go there again but be more assertive about things.

Gingernut- which birthing unit were you at?

I have visited several friends/babies in Calderdale. They all had lovely experiences - even the lady who arrived in an ambulance transfer from Huddersfield.

I'd personally avoid the BRI. I haven't had great experiences there. It's a bit like a cattle market. I moved to Airedale in my first pregnancy and had my second there too. Is that an option? All the staff, the ward, everything was brilliant. It's smaller and feels more nicer

Think Airedale might be a bit far but I don't have short labours though so might be doable.

What's Airedale like? Is it a ward rather than a birth centre (birth centres aren't really suitable for me)? Do you get a private room in labour there? is there an option to pay for a private room postnatally?

Just looked at Which Birth Choices Website and the Airedale has a much better VBAC success rate than Calderdale. Anyone or any thoughts on that?

I also like that there is very limited visiting hours for non-partners on the postnatal ward as that should allow me more rest. Haribo did they enforce the visiting rules on the postnatal ward?

BikeRunSki slightly off topic but was your friends transfer from
Huddersfield okay? Was it prompt and were the midwives clear about whether to transfer or stay put? was she happy with how it was all handled? I've heard a story about Huddersfield and transfers...I'm hoping it's a one off!

Sunshine, I'm sorry, she says it was the worst half hour of her life. It was nearly 8 years ago though,just after they shut the main maternity unit in Huddersfield. Things may have improved now though.

BikeSkiRun unfortunately sounds like nothing's changed. The story I heard was 2 years ago and absolutely appalling experience for the poor mum. Total confusion, nothing properly explained, took far longer than the 20 mins they advertise. I'm glad I don't have to consider that place...

Halifax is lovely. Avoid Bradford. As pp said its like a cattle market. And very noisy at night with staff not caring and letting people tell and swear on their phones all night. Not much support and as I said, frankly uncaring staff. This is based on two family members in the past year. Halifax is two friends in the past two years.

Almost all my friends have given birth in Halifax. I've only heard positive stories, and was very happy with the situation when I thought I might give birth there myself.

I gave birth at Calderdale Royal. I was in for ages because I was induced due to pre-e. I thought it was fine and will give birth there again no issues.

I had a section at Burnley a couple of weeks ago. Aside from the waiting around beforehand (last on the list and there were a couple of emergencies who had to go in first), I really couldn't fault them. All the staff were lovely, really helpful, friendly and informative, particularly the anaesthetist I had in theatre and everyone on the postnatal ward (was in for 2.5 days in total and managed to get an 'amenity' room for free as there was one spare).

Just to add, I went on a tour of the birth centre and birth suite beforehand (there are details on their website) and they were happy to answer the millions of questions I had!

Just to update - my second DS was born on Monday at Calderdale after being in preterm labour for 5 days. I spent time being monitored on the antenatal ward as well as the labour ward when the time came and everything has been fantastic. The midwives were friendly and supportive and made me feel welcome, my midwife when giving birth (Dawn) was amazing.

DS was born at 35 weeks so we're now in the special care baby unit and they too have been amazing. My husband and I feel listened to and like we are constantly an active part of our sons care.

Over all I can't recommend Calderdale enough

Airedale were very good with me, I had placenta praevia so very high risk pregnancy. Mr Porter sends the hearts of many pregnant ladies aflutter!

Not loving what people are saying about Bradford. I'm due to be induced there next Monday so fingers crossed it's not bad. Can't fault the antenatal care so far.

frikadela I've never been a patient at BRI but due to the nature of my job I know and work with a lot of the obs and gynea staff and they are all brilliant. I wouldn't have worried I'd have been going there to have my son

Hope it all goes well on Monday!

Thanks for the reassurance Stinky.

Like I said the antenatal care so far has been fantastic so I guess I'll see on monday how the rest goes.

I'm sure everything will go great frikadela. Every experience is so individual, some people have mentioned horrid experiences with Huddersfield on this post but I've had friends who loved it! I've loved Calderdale but I've heard people slating it.

Thought I'd come back and update on my experience of Bradford Royal Infirmiry.

I was admitted to the ward on monday to be induced. Antenatal and postnatal are on the same ward and partners are allowed to stay overnight, I noticed that women being induced, monitored antenatally tended to have partners stop however after I'd given birth none of the women in my 4 bed bay had partners stop overnight, myself included.

Once I'd had the gel they pretty much left me to it other than occasional monitoring until I was in active labour then I got transferred to the labour ward. All staff were lovely and supportive. There were a lot of student midwives around, including one who assisted in my delivery and all of them were lovely.
I had baby at 5:38 and stayed in overnight. Had lots of support with breastfeeding on the postnatal ward.

My only 2 complaints would be the food is dire, slop with slop. I also had to wait a long time to be discharged becasue I was waiting for medication to come up and my midwife that was discharging me was also looking after a lady being induced and obviously (and rightly so) got called away to examine and assist her.

Overall though a good experience, not at all cattle market like. I would be happy to return for my next baby.

Congratulations!

Glad to here you had a good experience of BRI. As someone who was once part of the extremely busy team there and is now pregnant again, I didn't hesitate to book with them to have this baby. When it comes down to it, I know mine and my baby's life couldn't be in more expert hands.

Just came back this, I was at Halifax Birthing Unit.